Author: Akhil Vasudevan

Born Connected: Keeping Childhood Safe in a Digital India

December 1, 2025 / Research Reports & Stakeholder Comments / Artificial Intelligence, Child Safety, Civil Penalties, Legal Frameworks, Online harm, Privacy

While digital access enables learning, creativity, and connection, it also exposes children to exploitation, harmful content, and psychological risk. These risks extend beyond criminalized harms. This IGAP study charts a coordinated path for child safety and also highlights emerging harms which affect the largest number of children, but receive the least systematic response.

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Panel Discussion: Building a Fair, Accountable and Inclusive Platform Economy

November 27, 2025 / Events / Digital Future, Event Report, Open AI

The Indian Governance and Policy Project (IGAP) hosted a session at the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2025 on building a fair, accountable, and inclusive platform economy. Organised in collaboration with Chase Advisors and The Dialogue, the discussion examined the future of digital work in India, focusing on social protection, platform governance, regulatory challenges, and the need to balance innovation with worker rights.

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Global Legal Responses to Deepfakes: A Regulatory Primer

October 27, 2025 / Primers / AI Policy, Deepfake, Disinformation, Legal Framework, Legal Response, Privacy Violation

Deepfakes pose growing risks to privacy, democracy, and national security. This primer explores global regulatory responses to deepfake harms, comparing how jurisdictions define, criminalize, and govern the misuse of AI-manipulated content.

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AI Privilege: Emerging Questions of Legal Protection

October 27, 2025 / Primers / AI Policy, AI Privilege, Artificial Intelligence, Client Privilege, Legal Policy, Legal Protection

“AI privilege” is an emerging legal concept that seeks to protect confidential communications between humans and artificial intelligence systems from disclosure in court. Much like attorney–client privilege, it aims to create a legal safeguard for private interactions with AI tools.

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The Demand Side of Piracy

October 13, 2025 / Blog / Copyright, Infringement, Intellectual Property, IPR, OTT, Piracy, Pirated Content

Addressing the persistent demand for pirated content requires understanding user motivations, economic constraints, and the perceived value of legitimate services. This blog explores the economic and experiential factors that lead audiences toward pirated content and considers how changes in pricing, access, and platform design could make legitimate streaming services a more appealing and accessible option.

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IGAP Comments: Draft National Telecom Policy, 2025

August 25, 2025 / Research Reports & Stakeholder Comments / Aadhaar e-KYC, Biometric Identification, Digital Divide, DoT consultation, Draft National Telecom Policy 2025, NTP 2025

Explore the key recommendations aimed to address biometric safeguards, lawful and transparent blocking, safer public Wi-Fi, measurable 4G/5G rollout, action on the gender device gap, and better coordination on deep tech.

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Why Piracy Keeps Winning Despite India’s Legal Framework

July 23, 2025 / Primers / AI Policy, AI Washing, Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Protection, Ethics in AI, Machine Learning

Despite the range of legal safeguards already in place, piracy in India continues to grow at an alarming rate. If left unaddressed, piracy is projected to grow to 158 million users by 2029, pushing cumulative losses up to USD 2.4 billion. The following analysis explores the structural and operational shortfalls within existing legal mechanisms and examines where targeted interventions may be required.

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AI Washing: Need for Better Explainability and Transparency in AI Systems

July 4, 2025 / Primers / AI Policy, AI Washing, Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Protection, Ethics in AI, Machine Learning

This primer examines AI washing, its various forms, and detrimental effects on genuine innovation and public trust, while mapping the existing regulatory frameworks in India and globally that aim to combat misleading AI claims.

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Symposium on AI, Dual-Use Technology and National Security: India’s Strategic Imperative

June 11, 2025 / Research Reports & Stakeholder Comments / cyber security, data protection law, Digital Personal Data Protection Act, Information Technology Act 2000

Is India ready for the AI era in national security? Our report breaks down the key challenges and recommendations shaping the country’s future

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Child Safety and Child Protection Exceptions under the Digital Personal Data Protection Framework

June 4, 2025 / Primers / Digital Security, Digital Space, Income Tax Bill 2025, Right to Privacy

This Primer examines the provisions related to child safety and protection under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. It explores the legal basis for processing children’s data while focusing on the framework’s exemptions, consent mechanisms, and implications for online safety.

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Author name: Akhil Vasudevan